I didn't actually mind <em>'Candy Cane Lane'</em>, but I can't exactly say it's a good movie though.

Many positives I do not have for this 2023 release, a perfect word for it all really is simply: meh. Eddie Murphy is fine (if nowhere near top form), his onscreen family are alright, the comedy is average, the Xmas vibes are OK, the concept is solid enough. It just doesn't excite. The 2hr run time is damaging, this is a 90 minute story all day long.

The bits with the animated miniature characters are this film's best moments, but even then that feature isn't utilised the best - Nick Offerman feels wasted in his role there, likewise with David Alan Grier near the end to be honest. Timothy Simons and Danielle Pinnock as Emerson & Kit are satisfactory in relatively small parts, even if they do feel like a knock-off version of Cotton & Pepper... iykyk.

A snappier length and a more energetically told/acted story and I'd have enjoyed this, without that it is sadly quite lacklustre.